IN THE FINAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT: FUTURE GRACE
We see that in the past and in the present, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit each play a singular part in the redemption of mankind. Each step of the way the Trinity expresses the plan, the presence, and the power to complete the redemptive plan for mankind. A plan that allows us to escape the penalty of sin, a presence that provides for our justification, and a power that enables the process to occur.
In the future, the Trinity’s combined efforts will continue to be the lone escape from eternal punishment. The final stage of God’s ultimate plan for mankind is realized in each person’s life, death, and eternal reward or everlasting punishment. This entire postlude of the creation and fall of man, as opposed to the supreme nature of the Godhead, will be played out in grace, with real and final devastation, ending in the ultimate and eternal glory of God. Once the end has come, God in all three persons will be glorified forever. The fact that this process, redemption leading to salvation and eternal life, is playing out according to God’s plan is a credit to His unending grace to mankind.
As far as worldly mankind is concerned, we see every aspect of God’s eternal plan for the unsaved becoming a reality in our own times. The world system is decaying, becoming more morally corrupt, believing in itself and being blinded by its own sin and deceit. Satan, the prince of this world system, is the great deceiver. Mankind believes his lies just as Adam and Eve accepted his guile in the garden. Their dependents have continued to trust in those lies in the centuries since original sin. However, the final act of this great drama of life is coming to a climax.
The final revelation of Lordship of Jesus Christ is near. As the Apostles believed in their day, we must accept now in our day. The time draws near.
First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men (2 Peter 3:3-7).
No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left. Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come (Matthew 24:36-43).
The fact, that the second coming of Jesus has not taken place is a testimony to the Grace of God. 2 Peter 3:8-9 says, “But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” Matthew 24:13 says this about Christ’s return and therein exemplifies future grace, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”
However, God’s grace extends far beyond His desire to see all mankind come to a saving knowledge of Jesus. All those who believe that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10), before the rapture of the saints (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18), will be saved. However, after the rapture, the 144,000 (Revelation 7:4-17) who will be saved during the tribulation to come, will experience both salvation and protection through the grace of God.
We also see this group of 144,000 in Revelation 14:1-13 where John writes, “Then I looked, and there before me was the Lamb, standing on Mount Zion, and with him 144,000 who had his name and his Father's name written on their foreheads. And I heard a sound from heaven like the roar of rushing waters and like a loud peal of thunder. The sound I heard was like that of harpists playing their harps. And they sang a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and the elders. No one could learn the song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the earth. These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they kept themselves pure. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.”
As a result of God’s grace, He never renounced His covenant with Israel. God keeps His promises and never forgets those whom he loves. The 144,000 were those purchased from among men and offered to God as the firstfruits of the Tribulation (Revelation 14:4c).
In the final earthly opportunity for God’s grace, His last action before the final destruction of the universe is to offer salvation one last time. “Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth — to every nation, tribe, language and people. He said in a loud voice, ‘Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come. Worship him who made the heavens, the earth, the sea and the springs of water.’" (Revelation 14:6-7). The gospel message is eternal. Until the instantaneous destruction of all of creation, there will still be an opportunity for all people to accept the truth of the gospel and be rescued from eternal punishment.
Warren W. Wiersbe writes this comment about verses 6 and 7, “The third message is directed especially to those who are deciding about following "the beast." It is a warning that "the easy way" is really the hard way, that to "go along with the world" means to go away from God. The Greek text reads, "If any man continues to worship the beast," suggesting that there is, still opportunity for repentance and salvation.[1]
God’s grace, as expressed in redemption, is contingent upon faith in Jesus Christ as a result of His death and resurrection. However, along with Ephesians 2:8-9 where we see the door opened to salvation through justification, we should never neglect vs. 10, “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” There is an expectation of good works that is the evidence of the transformation that has taken place through salvation.
2 Peter 3:11-14 says this, “Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”
Therefore, we should live each day praising God for the grace he showers on us both through our redemption and through our ongoing walk with the Holy Spirit. God was gracious to mankind in the fall by allowing Adam and Eve to survive and through physical birth to procreate the earth.
He continues to be gracious to mankind in their current state of disobedience, through the offer of salvation. He provides grace through salvation for the those who are lost. God pours grace on those who are in a right relationship with Him. In the future, every effort will be made to redeem those who will believe in Him, right up until the final destruction of all creation.
Grace can’t be measured in silver and gold,
It can’t be purchased, borrowed, or sold.
Grace only comes from the one who is light.
The one who embodies the just and the right.
He is our God, our Savior, our Lord,
With a gift that mankind could never afford.
Oh, what a great price He paid to redeem
Those who would trust Him or, so it would seem,
To trust in the blood that was shed on a hill
For no grave could hold Him, His fate to fulfill.
Grace, wondrous grace He offers for free,
To those undeserving like you and like me. – Bruce
We cannot express in words or in actions the debt we own to the God of creation for the gift of eternal life through His redemptive act. The redemption that He offers to each of us freely.
[1] Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary, Copyright © 1989 by Chariot Victor Publishing, and imprint of Cook Communication Ministries. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
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